The term "urbral" many not have reached the nation's dictionaries yet but it could be taking off soon.

Western Mail Country & Farming columnist Mark Hinge coined the phrase to mean something that combined elements of the urban and rural.

The public relations manager specifically had in mind the post-industrial areas of Wales on the fringes of town and country, such as parts of the South Wales Valleys or Deeside.

But the term can equally be applied to the increasingly blurred mix of rural and urban elements in many Welsh people's lives.

NFU Cymru president Peredur Hughes said, "Things have changed one hell of a lot in the past 40 years. People are willing to commute further than they used to.

"For instance, even here in Anglesey we're only within an hour of Chester.

"And people from urban areas are increasingly seeking the rural ideal.

"There's no doubt those who have come to the countryside to live think it's for the better but for the traditional rural communities it has been a bad thing.

"We've seen the rise of rural crime and the Welsh language has been eroded in this area."

One "urbralite" who has made the switch from country life to city living is Rhydian Scurlock-Jones, 20. Originally from Llanllwni, near Llandysul, he moved to the capital last year to study human geography and planning at Cardiff University.

The adjustment process has not been all plain sailing for the University of Wales Royal Navy unit member.

"I'm quite active in the countryside and come back quite often to go hunting," he said.

"I've kept going to country sports and enjoy that end of the lifestyle.

"At the beginning when you move to university it's quite a big change.

"I miss some peace and quiet, especially living in Cathays. And rubbish is a problem.

"But you have to move away from home to urban areas to get a degree-level education.

"Cities do have advantages. They have more facilities like cinemas while services such as mobile phone coverage, broadband and public transport aren't so good in the country."

Meanwhile, Bethan Morris, 30, of Cardiff, can often be found travelling up the opposite carriageway of the M4 on her regular commute to the West Wales College of Arts in Carmarthen.

The lecturer in fashion has lived in big cities most of her life but enjoys the mix of rural and urban in her life.

"I love living in Pontcanna and being only 15 minutes from the city centre," she said.

"It's a very cosmopolitan life which is very appealing.

"But it's interesting to see the difference in cultures between Cardiff city life and the laid back approach of people in Carmarthen.

"The benefits for the students are that it's nice being in a close-knit community.

"However, I do make sure students are aware of things further afield and insist we go to Cardiff and London twice a term."

As well as working in West Wales, the recently-married lecturer and writer also enjoys unwinding in the countryside.

"I love living in the city but I like nothing more than getting away from it all on the weekend," Mrs Morris said.

"It provides a balance to both kinds of lifestyle - the hustle and bustle of city life and the calm and serenity of the beach and country."

Mr Hinge would like to see closer understanding between rural and urban dwellers.

"There's a massive role there for education," said Mr Hinge, who used to work for the Countryside Alliance before setting up The Bay Public Affairs.

"The National Curriculum could be more targeted to rural affairs rather than rainforests etc."

However his new word already faces a stiff challenge - the equivalent term "ruban" is already in use in parts of the US and the Netherlands.